Koran, and told him his case, and said, 'Oh my
master the Kadee, can such a one as I obtain salvation and the
forgiveness of God? I fear not.' And the Kadee gave him a staff of
polished wood which he held in his hand, and said 'Who knoweth the mercy
of God and his justice, but God alone--take then this staff and stick it
in the sand beside the tomb where thou didst sin and leave it the night,
and go next morning and come and tell me what thou shalt find, and may
the Lord pardon thee, for thy sin is great.'

And the man went and did as the Kadee had desired, and went again at
sunrise, and behold the staff had sprouted and was covered with leaves
and fruit. And he returned and told the Kadee what had happened, and the
Kadee replied, 'Praise be to God, the merciful, the compassionate.'

April 29, 1865: Mrs. Austin

_To Mrs. Austin_.

LUXOR,
_April_ 29, 1865.

DEAREST MUTTER,

Since I wrote last I have received the box with the cheese quite fresh
(and very good it tastes), and the various things. Nothing called forth
such a shout of joy from me as your photo of the village pothouse. How
green and fresh and tidy! Many Mashallah's have been uttered over the
_beyt-el-fellaheen_ (peasant's house) of England. The railings,
especially, are a great marvel. I have also heard from Janet that Ross
has bought me a boat for 200 pounds which is to take four of his agents
to Assouan and then come back for me. So all my business is settled,
and, _Inshallah_! I shall depart in another three or four weeks.

The weather is quite cool and fresh again but the winds very violent and
the dust pours over us like water from the dried up land, as well as from
the Goomeh mountain. It is miserably uncomfortable, but my health is
much better again--spite of all.

The Hakeem business goes on at a great rate. I think on an average I
have four sick a day. Sometimes a dozen. A whole gipsy camp are great
customers--the poor souls will bring all manner of gifts it goes to my
heart to eat, but they can't bear to be refused. They are astounded to
hear that people of their blood live in England and that I knew many of
their customs--which are the same here.

Kursheed Agha came to take final leave being appointed to Keneh. He had
been at Gau and had seen Fadil Pasha sit and make t